Your Saturday Plan: A day at the park

It’s not just any other summer Saturday. Just in time for the first day of school – Richland One begins on Monday – the planners at the City of Columbia have created an end-of-summer party at Finlay Park on Saturday that will take you from noon to night. Here’s your schedule:

Noon-5 p.m.: Back to School Bash

Ready, Set, Learn is the theme of this year’s pre-school party, which park specialist Kim Mitchell says is designed so kids can have a great year. “It’s hard to learn if you don’t feel well, so we’re offering blood pressure and BMI (body mass index) checks in addition to vision and dental checks,” she says. But it’s not all work: Kids can compete in fitness challenges and recording artist Mike Jay will perform.

6:30-7:30 p.m.: Karaoke Idol Finals

The five finalists from Columbia’s weekly Karaoke Idol competitions will duke it out, American Idol-style, for a $500 prize.

7:30-10 p.m.: Free Concert: The Horizon Band

What happens when four high school boys get together? If they’re the talented high-schoolers of the Horizon Band, they turn out amazing covers of old-school R&B tunes from artists like Al Green, Luther Vandross and Earth, Wind & Fire. “They actually love the music,” says producer Byron Counts, who is also the father of one of the band members. “They’ve actually opened for George Benson, and they’ll be playing at the Tom Joiner Family Reunion on Labor Day.” For this event, they’ll be joined by vocalist Joi Roberson.

Finley Park is bounded by Laurel, Gadsden, Taylor and Assembly Streets in Columbia. Bring a blanket or chair for the concerts. For more information about Finlay Park’s end of summer extravaganza, visit columbiasc.net